Tag: holiday
The final Cities Skylines DLC takes you on holiday before its sequel
The final Cities Skylines DLC Hotels and Retreats gets a release date on Steam and Epic. With the Cities Skylines 2 release date on the calendar for 2023, it’s time for one last outing in the original Paradox city-building game. Rather fittingly, then, it’s time to pack your bags and passport as this ultimate Cities Skylines expansion takes us all on a relaxing holiday break.
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Cities: Skylines mods, Cities: Skylines system requirements, The best management games on PC 2022
From Britain to Barbados – inside ten of Charles’ favourite holiday escapes ahead of his coronation
IT’S nearly time to dust off the tea set and pop open the bubbly for the Coronation of King Charles.
On May 6, we will be tuning in to watch his official crowning.
Sophie Swietochowski picks out some of King Charles favourite regal escapes[/caption]
But why let the celebrations come to an end there?
Having visited a wealth of countries during his time as Prince of Wales, Charles III knows a thing or two about fabulous holiday destinations.
Here Sophie Swietochowski picks out some regal escapes.
Sri Lanka
Charles visited Sri Lanka as part of a royal tour in 2021[/caption]
Sri Lanka is packed with soft sandy beaches and majestic wild species[/caption]
THE monarch had a fun-filled visit to the Indian Ocean island in 2021 as part of a royal tour.
It’s no surprise he enjoyed himself so much – the country is packed with soft sandy beaches lined by coconut palms, and deep sunsets bathe it in wonderful colours.
Book by May 31 and you can save £800pp at the 5H Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, which has its own beach and is close to national parks and whale-watching spots.
Seven nights’ half-board costs from £1,829pp, including flights on selected dates that depart between now and October 31.
See tropicalsky.co.uk or call 01342 331 795.
Italy
HAVING reportedly travelled 18 times on official visits, the King knows Italy pretty well.
His 1985 tour alongside Diana took him to several sun-soaked regions, including Sardinia, Milan and Rome.
The Italian capital, with its ancient Colosseum and the spectacular Trevi Fountain, is perfect for history buffs.
You can bag a long weekend there for under £700 with Jet2citybreaks.
Three nights’ room-only at the well-located 4H Mercure Roma Corso Trieste is from £679pp, including flights from Newcastle on May 26.
Expect chic rooms decorated with green velvet cushions and a lounge bar serving icy cocktails.
See jet2citybreaks.com.
Isles of Scilly
One of Charles’ favourite British holiday spots is the Scilly Isles[/caption]
CORNWALL and Devon may be the most popular staycation spots in South-West England, but our King prefers to venture a little farther than Penzance.
One of his favourite British holiday spots is the Scilly Isles, which include Tresco where he even has his own castle.
These magical islands are so unspoilt, the best way to see them is by campervan.
That way you can fully enjoy the glorious heathland, smoth-ered in beautiful bell heather and evergreen shrubs.
A six-berth Mobilvetta motor-home comes with fully equipped kitchenette and bathroom, and costs £862 for seven days, including breakdown cover, two insured drivers and 200km mile-age per day.
See yescapa.co.uk.
Malta
Malta was where Charles made his first ever royal visit[/caption]
THIS sun-drenched archipelago has to be top of any royalist’s list, as it was where Charles made his first ever royal visit.
He went there as a five-year-old prince in 1954, with Princess Anne and his mother the Queen, the year after her Coronation..
It’s still a destination much loves by our royals – and their subjects, too, with lots of bargain holidays available.
Blue Sea Holidays has seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H DB Seabank Resort & Spa Hotel from £649pp, including flights from Liverpool on May 8.
There is all you need including three massive pools, seven restauants, four bars, a kids’ club and regular entertainment.
And you’ll feel just like a king, with all meals and drinks already paid for by the time you arrive.
Barbados
The King is planning to visit several Caribbean countries on an official tour following the Coronation[/caption]
HIS Majesty is planning to visit several Caribbean countries on an official tour following the Coronation, but Barbados is a particular favourite of his.
Even though it removed the Queen as its head of state in 2021, it remains in the Common-wealth and there is guaranteed sunshine year round.
Splurge on the all-suite 4H South Beach Hotel on the south coast of the island where seven nights’ B&B is from £1,335pp, including flights from Heathrow on June 29.
The resort has everything for a laid-back getaway, including pool, in-room spa services and white-sand beach.
See ba.com/southbeach or call 0344 493 0124.
Canada
King Charles visited Canada in 2022 on a brief three-day trip for Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee[/caption]
THE monarch has always taken pride in Britain’s relationship with Canada, which joined the Commonwealth as an independent state in 1931.
King Charles visited in 2022 on a brief three-day trip for Canada’s celebration for the Queen’s jubilee.
It’s worth spending a little more time out there when visiting yourself, though.
My Canada Trips offers bucket list getaways, ticking off some of the places our King has visited.
Book by April 30 and you can bag an 11-day self-drive trip around Nova Scotia, from £2,379pp, including flights from London to Halifax on September 4, plus accommodation and car hire.
Wales
Book a walking holiday to soak up as much of Wales’ captivating scenery as possible[/caption]
AS the longest-ever serving Prince of Wales, who studied for a semester at Aberystwyth University and has a home in Carmarthenshire, King Charles has strong roots in Wales.
You’ll find mementos of the monarch scattered all across this country, which is rich in culture and unspoilt landscape.
Book a walking holiday to soak up as much of the captivating scenery as you can.
HF Holidays has a three-night self-guided Snowdonia tour from £308pp, which includes accommodation at 3H Dolserau Hall and all meals as well as routes and maps.
Better still, if you visit during the Coronation day, you can watch the crowning on a big screen while tucking into a themed afternoon tea made up of fizz and big slices of Victoria sponge.
Germany
Our King has visited Germany over 40 times[/caption]
IT seems fitting that Charles’s first state visit as King was to Germany last month, where he was greeted by cheering crowds.
He not only has German ancestry, he speaks the language and reportedly has such a fondness for the country, he has visited more than 40 times.
For those keen to find out what’s so special about the region, TUI offers River Cruises that let you tick off several areas in one hit.
Christmas is a great time of year to go and you can bag a five-night full-board Festive Flavours cruise along the Rhine from £900pp, calling at Mainz, Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Koblenz.
The price includes flights from Gatwick on December 12.
See tui.co.uk.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam, known for its laid-back, friendly atmosphere, is much-loved by his highness[/caption]
YOU can’t beat a city break in Amsterdam, where cafes spill on to the cobbled streets and canals criss-cross through the centre.
It is a cultural haven.
The city, known for its laid-back, friendly atmosphere, is much-loved by his highness too, who has visited The Netherlands nine times over his lifetime.
Grab the cheapest accommodation deal you can as you’ll want to be out exploring most of the time.
EasyJet Holidays is offering three nights’ room-only at the Best Western Plus Amstelveen from £280pp, including flights from Edinburgh on May 8.
Corfu
With Greek in his blood, Corfu is one of his majesty’s favourite holiday destinations[/caption]
The rugged Greek island of Corfu is one of his majesty’s favourite holiday destinations and he once told an Athens newspaper: “Greece is in my blood and I have long had a fascination for her ancient culture and history”.
There are some really cracking deals out there right now too, such as seven nights’ B&B at the 3H Hotel Mimosa from £449pp with Jet2holidays.
It includes flights from Birmingham on May 4, so you can spend the Coronation in sizzling sunshine.
There are two outdoor pools, but the picturesque Sidari beach is only a two-minute walk away if you prefer to paddle in the sea.
Inside the UK’s top glamping holiday with luxury tents and awesome lakeside views
AS my two little ones squealed in delight at our Lake District home for the weekend, I knew this was the perfect pick for our family getaway.
Along with my husband, seven-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, I was staying in one of Ullswater Heights’ chic and spacious six-person tents.
Brand new in 2019, they sit in the landscaped grounds of a former quarry.
Our home for three nights had a double room, twin room, and double cabin bed accessed via a small ladder — which my daughter bagged as soon as she set eyes on it — as well as a sizeable shower room.
All come off the open-plan living area.
Although you are sleeping under canvas, there is no sense of “roughing it”, as these stylish tents come with comfy beds, a smart TV, reliable wifi, log burner, and well-appointed kitchen area including fridge (with icebox) and electric hob.
Outside we had a private decking area and, the hit of the holiday, a hot tub.
Facilities on site include the Lake House bar and restaurant, a small shop, kids’ play park and mini-golf.
There was also lots of space to park, and a plentiful supply of firewood.
All of this meant we were able to get the feeling of living simply in a rural setting, but with a generous helping of creature comforts.
Just a word of warning, though — as the walls are made of canvas, you will hear your neighbours.
So maybe consider packing earplugs.
Ullswater Heights was the perfect base from which to explore the Lakes.
Given we were staying in a safari tent, we felt there was no better way to get acquainted with the local area and its residents, than by going on a “bug safari”.
The lakeside location for the creepy-crawly hunt was the sustainability-focused Basecamp restaurant and farm shop, at the gateway to the northern Lake District.
Silvery expanse
Fuelled by coffees, hot chocolates and a hearty brunch made from locally sourced ingredients, our children were soon shrieking with excitement as they turned over stones and logs to reveal all manner of mini-beasts.
From here, we drove off to spot some bigger creatures at the Lake District Wildlife Park in Keswick, 30 minutes from Ullswater Heights.
A family ticket costing £46 was a price worth paying for our animal-loving kids, who got to hand-feed alpacas, learn about lemurs, and get up close and personal with an owl during the bird-of-prey display.
Two other outings that got a big thumbs- up from all the family were National Trust ones.
The first was a visit to the 65ft Aira Force waterfall where we took in the wonderful view of the silvery expanse of Ullswater at no cost.
The second was the adventure playground at Lowther Castle — a £45 charge for the family also covers entry to the castle’s ruins, indoor exhibition and garden.
At closing time, our two had to be torn away from the labyrinth of turrets, walkways, zipwires and slides.
Talking of trees, it’s well worth swinging by the picturesque village of Greystoke, famed as the birthplace of Tarzan.
We enjoyed a delicious Sunday roast at the local family- friendly Boot and Shoe pub.
We certainly managed to fit a lot into our Ullswater adventure, while still finding plenty of time to kick back and relax in our safari tent and hot-tub.
That said, I can safely say our three-year-old spoke for all of us at check-out when he said: “I just don’t want to leave.”
We were staying in one of Ullswater Heights’ chic and spacious six-person tents[/caption]
Outside we had a private decking area and a hot tub[/caption]
Facilities on site include the Lake House bar and restaurant[/caption]
GO: Ullswater
STAYING THERE: Hoseasons offers a wide range of self-catering resorts in coastal and countryside beauty spots across the UK.
A three-night stay in a six-person safari tent at Hoseasons’ Ullswater Heights in Greystoke, in April costs from £365.
A seven-night stay costs from £699. Two pets are allowed.
Visit hoseasons.co.uk for more details.
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How to get ten days off work using just four days of annual leave over the Coronation bank holiday
THIS is how you can get 10 days off work using just four days of annual leave over the Coronation bank holiday.
The bank holiday weekend is fast approaching as Brits prepare to celebrate King Charles’ crowning.
This is how you can get 10 days off work for the Coronation weekend by only booking four days of annual leave[/caption]
And thanks to the historical event, May is full of long weekends with some only having to work one Monday the whole month.
The Coronation is on Saturday, May 6, which means May 8 is a bank hol.
However, the classic May day holiday means if you take only four days annual leave from May 2, 3, 4, and May 5, you can bag yourself an entire 10 days off.
The same trick can also work for May 29 as well.
Workers could secure nine days off by just booking in annual leave for May 30, 31, and June 1 and 2.
Maximising your holiday allowance is just a matter of being strategic about when you plan your time off.
By doing this, you can get a mega 48 days of holiday with just 19 days of annual leave.
Andrew Hunter, co-founder of job search engine Adzuna, said: “2023 is the year workers are waving goodbye to hustle culture and reclaiming balance at work.
“A big part of that is being free to take regular leave to recharge and prevent burnout.
“Bank Holidays are a great time to switch off and recuperate.
“And many workers will look to extend their stints away from the office by tacking on extra days of annual leave, though it’s important to note that longer breaks are normally discretionary and for the best chance of approval, time off requests should be submitted well in advance.
“Tackle any critical tasks before you switch on your out of office and make sure your usual contacts know you’ll be away.”
Here’s what you need to do…
May
- Book four days of holiday and get 10 days off
In May, you can get another 10-day break with only four days of leave by taking advantage of the Bank Holidays.
The first one is Monday, May 1, and the bonus one for the Coronation is May 8.
Book off May 2, 3, 4 and 5, to get the 10-day rest from work, including two weekends.
You’ll be off from Saturday, April 29 and back at work on Tuesday, May 9.
May to early June
- Book four days of holiday and get nine days off
Again, using the late May Bank Holiday, which falls on Monday, May 29, you can take a nine-day holiday.
You just need to take four days off work from Tuesday, May 30, through to Friday, June 2.
You’l be off from Saturday, May 27 and then back at work on Monday, June 5.
August to early September
- Book four days of holiday and get nine days off
There’s another Bank Holiday in the summer on Monday, August 28.
At the end of summer, workers should take four days off on August 29, 30, 31 and September 1.
That means they get another nine days off in a row from Saturday, August 6 and then back at work on Monday, September 4.
December
- Book three days of holiday and get 10 days off
Finally, over the festive season there are two more Bank Holidays .
This year, they fall on Monday, December 25 for Christmas Day, and Tuesday, December 26 for Boxing Day.
Booking the following three days off, December 27, 28 and 29, means you can end the year with a 10-day break from work because Monday, January 1, will also be a holiday.
This also means you can relax and make the most of the festive season.
Holiday Sneakers
We feature travel trainers with attributes such as cushioned, all-rounder, breezy, and head-turner
Read the full blog post at Menswear Style here
Article by Menswear Style